Engine starter



Dec. 27, 1932. M, B JACKSON ET AL 1,892,056

ENGINE STARTER Filed May A29. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTDRS.

Dec. V27', 1932. yM, B JACKSON ET AL 1,892,056

ENGI NE STARTER Filed May 29. `1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED lSTATES ENGINE STARTER Application filed May 29,

llhis invent-ion rela-tes to starters forhinternal combustion engines and more particularly to the follow-up type of starter m which the pinion, when driven by the engine,

energize the starter motor. D movement ofthe lever will move the device as overruns its driving means until it is demeshed by the operator and the object of the present invention is to provide a starter of this type which will operate efficiently, overrun quietly and indefinitely without damaging its parts and will reset quickly.

We attain our objects by means of the constructions briefly described as follows. On an axially movable member, which may be the armature shaft of the starter motor or a member splined on the shaft, is mounted a sleeve or intern'iediate driving member which has an overrunning or one way clutch connection with the pinion. The latter is jour 9 nalled on the shaft and means is provided to limit the axial movement in one direction of Lhe pinion relative to the first mentioned member. A collar having a limited sliding engagement with the sleeve or intermediate driving member frictionally engages a flange on the pinion whereby when the first member overruns the pinion the sleeve will be caused to move along its thread towards the pinion to set the clutch, and when the pinion overruns the first member, the sleeve will be caused to move away from the pinion to unset the clutch. A manually operable lever is adapted to move the first named member axially and is adapted to actuate a switch to A continuous a whole towards the gear of the engine to be started and into mesh therewith if the teeth on the pinion are in alinement with the spaces between the teeth on the gear.

if the pinion teeth collide with the gear eeth. the first member will move relative to he sleeve or intermediate driving member rnd these members have a threaded connection, whereby the intermediate driving mem- :ier will be rotated to turn the pinion sufficiently to clear its teeth and then be axially moved to mesh the pinion. y

Vhen the engine starts the pinion will overrun the sleeve or intermediate driving member and the collar will effect and main- 1928. Serial No. 281,527.

tain a separation of the clutch parts during such overrunning thereof. The collar will also reset the clutch parts when the sleeve overruns the pinion. l

lVe attain hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a longitudinal section, partly in side elevation, of our starter showing the parts with the clutch in driving position;

Fig. E2 a sectional detail, partly in side elevation, of some of the parts shown in Fig. l, showing them as they are positioned While the pinion is about to be turned to clear its teeth; p

Fig. 3 a sectional detail, partly in side elevation, showing the parts as they are positioned when the pinion is driven by the engine;

Fig. 4 a longitudinal section of a modified form of our starter showing the parts with the clutch in driving position;

Fig. 5 a. sectional detail partly in side elevation showing the parts in Fig. 4 as they are positioned when the pinion is driven by the engine; and

Fig. 6 a sectional detail showing the preferred construction of the extension, and pinion and iange assembly in connection with a starter of the jump spring type, the parts being shown as they are positioned 'when thev pinion is driven by the engine.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different gures.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 motor provided with an extended armature shaft 2. A member 3 straight splined at 4 on the shaft has a driving threaded connection 5 with a sleeve or intermediate driving member 6. The latter is disposed on the member 3 and is provided with ratchet teeth 7 for engaging ratchet teeth 8 carried by a pinion 9 and which may be the ends of the teeth thereof. The pinion is journalled on the shaft 2. The teeth 7 on the sleeve 6 and the teeth 8 carried by the pinion 9 areshaped to form a one way clutch or driving connection between the sleeve and the pinion.

and 3, l is an electric our object by the constructions The axial movement in one direction of the pinion relative to the member 8 .is limited by means of a cup shaped extension 10 secured to the said member. Rigidly attached to the forward end ofthe extensionis a ring 11 which forms a shoulder for engaging the forward side of a flange 12 which is suitably secured to the pinion. VJ e may in some cases use a spring 13 to urge the sleeve 6 towards the pinion and thus tend toV engage ratchetV teeth 7 and 8 but this spring is in no way essential to the operation of the device.

A lever 14.- suitably connected with any manually operable means such as a foot pedal (not shown) is adapted to engage the walls ofa groove'l-formed at the rear end of the extension 10 whereby the latter and the inember 3 may be axiallyV moved with or relative to the sleeve 6 and pinion 9. Y

The operation is as f llows, spring 18 beine considered omitted by moving the upper end of the lever to the left. the lower end thereof. the extension 10, member 3 and sleeve 6 will be moved to the right, teeth 7- will contactwith teeth 8 and pinion 9 will be moved towards the flywheel gear 16. lf the spaces between the teeth of the latter be Ain alinement with the teeth of the pinion. the latter will be moved into mesh w" th the gear. lf the teeth of the pinioncollide with the teeth of the gear the axial movement of the pinion and sleeve 6 will be stopped with the clutch teeth 7; 8 in contact. Thecontinuedmovement of the member -8 will urge, by means ofthe thread 5. the sleeve 6 and pinion 9 to the right and the thread 5 passing through the sleeve 6 will turn it and thus the pinion until its teeth clear the gear teeth. A further move ment of the member 8 will move the sleeve and pinion so that the latter meshes with the gear 16. After the lever 14 has moved the member 3 to mesh the'pinion it toenergizethe starter motor 1 which will turn the member 3 to move the sleeve and pinion axially by means of the thread 5 until flange 12 engages the ring 11 in which position the pinion is fully meshed with the gear. The starter motor will now turn gear 16 to start the engine.

When the engine firesthe gear 16 will rotate the pinion 9 faster than the motorr 1 is driving it whereby the flange 12 on the pinion will tend to overrun a collar 18 which has a Straight or helical spline connection. 2O with the sleeve 6. The collar 18 is kept in constant frictional contactfwiththe flange 12 by any suitable means such as a spring 19. The frictional drag between the collar` 18 and the flange 12 will cause the collar toturu with the flange which will result in the sleeve 6 being wormed along its thread 5 to the left and away from the pinion' l94 to unset the clutch 7, 8 andto holt. it unset. lhile the pinion is in mesh with the gear and the en;` gine is running, the flange 12 and the collar 18 rection of the sleeve engages a switch 1T.

vv21 engages the right hand side of the collar the axial movement in this di- 6. This engagement of the flange 21 with the collar 18 also urges the latter away from the flange 12 to lessen the friction al drag between the flange 12 and collar, which results in a light but always suflicient friction between the said flange and colwhich limits lar so that their contacting surfaces will last indefinitely. Y

A The flange 21 is adapted to position the teeth 7 on sleeve 6 vwith regard to the teeth 8 on the pinion 9 so that when they are in their unset position thej.,7 will have a constant minimum clearance which is very important to eliminatejar on resetting as hereinafter described. As heretofore set forth, one of the functions of the collar 18 is to hold the clutch unset while the pinion 9 is overrunning the sleeve 6 which prevents objectionable noise or damage by the teeth 7 if they should drift into contact with the teeth 8 but anl equally important; function of the collar 18 is that it resets the clutch immediately the sleeve 6 overruns the pinion 9. When the speed of the pinion falls below that of the sleeve, and thus the speed of the flange 12 below that of the coll ar18` the latter moves relative to the sleeve to worm it to the righttowards the pinion and thus reset the clutch teeth 7, 8.

Y From this description it is obvious that lthe spring lwhich tends to move the sleeve 6A axially to the right and thus take up any backlash between the parts of the threaded connections 2O and 5. When this spring is employed the action is the same but the setting of the clutch may be a little quicker and slightly more frictional force may be necessary to keep the Iteeth 7, 8 separated during the overrunning of the pinion.

It is obvious that the above described collar 18b ifthreaded at 2Ob on the sleeve 6b would move the latter to clear the teeth 8b and hold them` from contacting with the teeth Tb during the overrunning of the pinion in a jump spring type of starter as shown'in Fig. 6. lin this type of starter the driving connectious 5b would be formed as straight or very long. pitched splines and the pinion would be rotated, by energizing the motor, to clear the pinion teeth if they collided with the gear teeth. In Fig. 6 the flange 12 on the pinion 9b is provided with ratchet teeth 8b whereby the thrust, if the spline 5b be helical, is taken by the flange which bears against the ring 1lb on the member 10b. In other words7 equal pressure is applied to the opposite sides of the flange 12C, which construction differs from that shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 in which the thread thrust tends to dislodge the flange 12C. lf the spline 5" be straight the setting and unsetting of the clutch ?b, 8b is effected by the thread Q0".

Referring to the modication shown in Figs. 1l and 5, the armature windings 22 of the starting motor l are carried on a core 23 which is feather-keyed on the armature shaft or member 2a whereby the latter may be axially moved to serve both as the shaft 2 and member 3 of the construction shown in Figs. l to To the shaft or member 2a is secured a shifter ring l0 having a groove 15a for receiving the forked ends of a lever lila. A sleeve or intermediate driving' member 6EL is threaded on the threads 5a and is provided with a frusto-conical surface 7 adapted to cooperate with a surface 8a formed on a cupshaped flange l2. This flange is Carried by a pinion 9a which is joui-nailed on the shaft 2 and the surfaces 7a and 8a form a friction cone clutch between the sleeve 6' and pinion 9a.

A thrust collar 11a suitably secured to the shaft forms an abutment to limit the axial movement in one direction of the pinion relative to the shaft. A collar 18a splined on the sleeve 6a has a frictional contact,vby any suitable means such as a spring 19, with the rear surface 121 of the pinion flange 12a.

A movement to the right of the lower end of the lever 14a will move the shifter ring l a, shaft Qa, sleeve (in, abutment 11a, spring 19a, collar 18a and pinion 9a as a Whole towards the flywheel gear 16 and will mesh the pinion with the gear if the teeth of the pinion be in alinement with the spaces between the teeth of the gear.

Should the pinion teeth collide with the gear teeth, the axial movement of the pinion 9, sleeve tia, and collar 18a will be stopped and the shaft 2a will be moved relative thereto to cause the pinion to be rotated sufficiently to clear its teeth in a manner similar to any one of those described for the ratchet type of clutch.

Then the engine fires the clutch is disengaged by the pinion 9a which overruns the shaft 2 and thus causes the sleeve 6a to overrun the threads 5a whereby the sleeve is axially moved away from the pinion. This axial movement of the sleeve is continued by means of the friction drag between the collar 18a and surface 12b on the pinion Hange 12a which tends to turn the sleeve with the pinion until the shoulder 21a is moved into engagement with the collar to relieve the friction between the ycollar 18aL and the surface 12b. The overrunning wear, it will be noted, is on the collar 18"L and surface 12b and not on the clutch surfaces 7a, 8a.

In this construction the collar 18a causes the resetting of the clutch, when the speed of the pinion falls below that the sleeve 6a, in the same manner as that described for the ratchet type clutch. A spring 13ZL may be employed with this cone type of clutch to take up any backlash in the threaded connections 2Oa and 5a. y

lVhen the engine commences to fire regul larly the operator permits a spring 25, 25a to return the parts to their normal position in which the clutch 7, 8, 7a, 8EL is unset.

hat we claim is:

l. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a threaded connection with the member; a starter pinion adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; and normally operative drive connecting means including a spring actuated toothed clutch between the sleeve and pinion adapted to permit the pinion to Overrun the sleeve, the member when moved axially being adapted to mesh the pinion with the gear and to cause thesaid sleeve to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear.

2. An engine starter including a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion journalled on the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an vengine to be started; a member having a drive connection with the shaft and axially movable thereof; a sleeve having a threaded connection with the member; and normally operative drive connecting means including a spring actuated clutch between the sleeve and pinion adapted to permit the pinion to overrun the sleeve, the member when moved axially being adapt,e ed to mesh the pinion with the gear and to cause the said sleeve to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear.

3. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a threaded connection with the member; a starter pinion adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; drive connecting means including a spring actuated clutch between the sleeve and pinion adapted to permit the pinion to overrun the sleeve; means for axially moving the member to mesh the pinion With the gear and to cause the said sleeve to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear; and means for effecting a separation of the drive connecting' means during such times as the pinion overruns the sleeve.

4. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a vthread connection with the member; a starter pinion adaptedV to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; drive connecting means between the Y sleeve and pinion adapted to permit the pinion to overrun the sleeve; a spring tending to set the drive connecting means; means for axially4 moving the member to mesh the pinion with the gear and to cause the said sleeve to-rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear; and means operable by the pinion for disengagingthe Ydrive connecting means during such times asthe pinion overruns the sleeve, the said disengaging'meansbeing adapted tol move thev sleeve to re-set the drive connecting means when the speedpf the pinion falls below that of the sleeve. c l K 5. Anl engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a threaded connection with the member; a starter pinion adapted tobe moved axially to meshfwith a gear of an engine to be started; drive` connecting means between the sleeve and pinionV adapted to permit the pinion -to-overrun the sleeve; a spring tending to set the drive connecting means; means for axially moving the member to mesh the pinion with the gearva-nd to cause the said sleeve to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear; and means separate from the -drive connecting means and having a drive connection with the pinion adapted to permitI slippage for elfecting an `axial movement of the sleeve away from the pinion when the latter `overruns the sleeve. Y

6. An. engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a threadedconnection with the member; a starter pinion adapted to be movedaxially to meshfwith a gear of an engine to be started; meansfor limiting the axial move ment in onedirection of the pinion relative to `Vthe member drive connecting means between the sleeve and pinion and adapted to permit the pinion to overrun the sleeve; aY spring tending to set the drive connecting means; means for axially moving the member to mesh the pinion with said sleeve to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if theyshould collide with the teeth of thegear; a collar having a threaded connection with the sleeve, and a spring tending to inovo the collarto frictionally rotate with the pinion the twov aioresaid threaded connec tions being inclined in opposite directions to the axis of the sleeve lwhereby the rotation of thecollar relative to the sleeve-will cause the latter to be axially moved away from the pinion during such times as the pinion overruns the sleeve.

7. An engine starter including a rotatableV shafL a starter pinion journ alled on the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with the gear and to cause ther Y aforesaid threaded connections being inclined in opposite directions to the axis of the sleeve whereby the rotation of the collar relative to the sleeve wil-lcause the latterto be axially moved away 'fromk the pinion during such times as the pinion overruns the sleeve.

S. An eng'me strater including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a threaded connection with the member; a starter pinion adapted to be moved axially to mesh witha gear of an engine to be started; means for limiting the axial movement in one direction of the pinion relative to the member; drive connecting means be-v tween the sleeve and pinion and adapted to permit the pinionto overrun the sleeve; a spring tending to` set the drive connecting means; means for axially moving the inem-y ber to meshl the pinion with the gear and to move the member through the said sleeve to cause it to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear; a collar adapted to frictionally engage the pinion and having a splined connection with the sleeve and a spring tending to move the collar to frictionally rotate with the pinion, whereby the rotation of the collar by the pinion relative'to-the sleeve will cause the splined connection to turn the sleeve along its thread away from the pinion during such times as the pinion overruns the sleeve.

9. A. sta-rter comprising a pinion to be moved into andout ofengagement with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable starter member axially movable and adapted to impart axial movement to the pinion to withdraw it from mesh; a sleeve threaded on the rotatable memberhaving a direct disengageable driving connection with the pinion; a spring tending to set the drive connection; and frictional driving means between the pinion and the sleeve, the said means including a fla-nge on the pinion, a collar having a sliding engagement with the sleeve, and a spring tending to press the collar against the flange, whereby relative rotary movement of the pinion and starter member will cause a relative rotation of the sleeve and said member and thus move the sleeve into and out of driving connection withthe pinion.

10. An engine starteiincliiding a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion journalled onthe shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a member having a. drive connection with the shaft and axially movable thereof; a sleeve threaded on the member; a. clutch for connecting the said sleeve and pinion; a flange carried by the pinion; an extension carried by the member for engaging the forward side of the flange to limit the axial movement of the pinion in one direction; a spring engagingV the extension and the sleeve to normally set the clutch; a collar threaded on the sleeve and having a rictional engagement with the rear side of the flange; the said two threads being directed oppositely to one another; and a spring engaging the extension and collar to hold the latter in frictional contact with the rear side of the flange whereby the latter will turn the collar relative to the sleeve to disengage the clutch during such times as the pinion over'- runs the sleeve.

l1. An engine starter including a rotatable shaft; a starter pinion journalled on the shaft and adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a member having al drive connection with the shaft and axially movable thereof; a sleeve threaded on the member; a clutch for eonnectingthe sa-id sleeve and pinion; a flange carried by the pinion; an extension carried by tl e member for engaging the forward side of the flange to limit the axial movement of the pinion in one direction; a spring' engaging the extension and the sleeve to normally set the clutch; a collar threaded on the sleeve and having a frictional engagement with the rear side of the flange, the said two threads being directed oppositely to one another; a spring engaging the extension and collar to hold the latter in frietional contact with the rear side of the flange whereby the latter will turn the collar relative to the sleeve to disengage the clutch during such times as the pinion overruns the sleeve;'and a shoulder on the sleeve normally spaced from the collar and adapted to engage the latter to limit the axial movement of the sleeve when it is moved to disengage the clutch.

12. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; ion adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; an intermediate driving member; a one-way clutch between the pinion and intermediate driving member; a spring tending to set the clutch; and a helically splined driving connection between the iirst named member and intermediate member adapted to permit relative longitudinal movement between said members and to cause the intermediate member to turn the pinion to clear its teeth it they should collide with the teeth of the gear.

13. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with agear of an engine; an intermediate driving member; a

an intermediate driving member; a clutch 3' between the pinion and intermediate driving member; a helically splined driving connection between the said two members adapted to permit relative longitudinal movement between said members and to cause the intermediate member to turn the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear; and means having'a' frictional driving' connection with one of the said pinion and intermediate driving' member parts and a driving connection with the other of said parts for etfecting a separation of the clutch during such times as the pinion overruns the intermediate driving member and for effecting a driving engagement of the clutch when the speed of the pinion falls below that of the intermediate member.

15. An engine starter including a longitudinaliy movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; an intermediate driving member; a one-way clutch between .the pinion and intermediate driving' member; a helically splined driving connection between the first named member and intermediate member the first named member to move longitudinally relative tothe intermediate member to canse the latter Vto turn the pinion to clear its teeth it they should collide with the teeth of the gear; and a spring for causing the intermediate member to move relative to the iirst named member when the pinion teeth clear the gear teeth, the one-way clutch permitting this movement, thus preventing turning torque being' applied to the pinion.

16. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; an intermediate driving member having a slidable driving connection with the first named member; a clutch between the pinion and intermediate driving' member; and means for eitecting a separation of the clutch during such times as the pinion overruns the intermediate eriving member, the said means including' a collar adapted to frictionally rotate with the pinion and having a slidable driving connection with the intermediate driving member, one of the said driving connections including a curved spline.'

as the pinion overruns the adapted to permit IDO . driving. connection with the pinion; and

Vmember having 'withdraw it from mesh;

Vstarter member axially movable and 17. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a sleeve having a threaded connection vwith the member; a starter pinion adapted to be moved axially to mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a one-way tooth clutch between the sleeve and pinion adapted to permit the pinion to overrun the sleeve; means for axially moving the member to mesh the pinion with the gear and to cause the said sleeve to rotate the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with the teeth of the gear; and

means for effecting and maintaining a sepa ration of the toothed clutch during such times as the pinion overruns the sleeve.

v 18. A starter comprising a pinion to be moved into and out of engagement with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable starter member axially movable and adapted to impart axial movement to the pinion to withdraw it from mesh; a sleeve threaded on the rotatable vmember having a disengageable driving connection with the pinion; and a member having a rictional driving connection with one of the said sleeve and pinion parts and a driving connection with the other of said parts whereby'relative rotary movement between the pinion and the sleeve will cause the sleeve to move along its thread towards and away from the pinion to set and unset the driving connection between the sleeve and pinion.

' 19.- A starter comprising a. pinion adapted to be moved into and out oi mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a rotatable starter member axially movable and adapted to impart axial movement to the pinion to a sleeve threaded on the rotatable member having a disengageable driving connection with the pinion; and a member having a rictional driving connection with one of the said sleeve Vand pinionY parts and adriving connection with the other of said parts whereby the last mentioned member when the sleeve overruns the pinion, will cause the sleeve to move along its thread to set the driving connection between the sleeve and pinion.

20. A starter comprising a pinion to be moved into and out of engagement with a gear of an engine to be'started; a rotatable adapted to imp y withdraw it from mesh; a sleeve threaded on the rotatable member having a disengageable a a rictional driving connection with one of the said sleeve and pinion parts and a driving connection with the other of said parts whereby the member, when the pinion overruns the sleeve, will cause the vsleeve to move along its thread to disengage thevdriving connection.

' 21. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion art axial movement to the pinion to adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; an intermediate driving member; a clutch between the pinion and intermediate driving member; camming provisions betweenv the said two members adapted to permit relative longitudinal movement between said members and to cause the intermediate member to turn the pinion to clear its teeth if they should collide with theteeth ofthe gear; and a device having a withthe intermediate driving member and operable by the pinion for eecting a separation of the clutch duringisuch times as the pinion overruns the intermediate driving memberjand for eiiecting a driving engagement of theclutch when the speed of the pinnfalls below that of the intermediate mem- 61. l 22. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of 'an engine; an intermediate driving member having a slidable driving connection with the first named member; a clutch between the pinion and` intermediate driving member; and a device'having a slidable connection with the intermediate driving member, one of the said slidable connections including a Ycurved spline; the device being operable by the pinion `for moving the intermediate driving member along the curved spline away from the pinion to maintain a separation of thel clutch duringy such times as the pinion overruns the intermediate driving member.

23. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; intermediate driving member having a slidable driving connection with the iirst named member; a clutch between the termediate driving member; and a device for releasing the clutch having a slidable connection with'the intermediate driving member, one of thesaid slidable connections in cluding a curved spline; and means for estabf lishing a drive connection between the device and pinion adapted to permit slippage therebetween whereby the device will turn the intermediate driving member along its curved spline connection and until theV relative speeds of the pinion and the rst mentioned member have been reversed.

24. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adaptedto meshv with a gear of an engine; an

intermediate driving member having a slidable driving connection with the first named member; a clutch between the pinion and intermediate driving member; a device for setting and unsetting the vclutch having a slid- V able connection with the intermediate driving member, one of the said slidable connections including a curved spline; and means Jfor retaining the device in trictional engagementv driving connection pinion and inhold it as positioned with the pinion whereby relative rotary A movement on the curved spline will result in the intermediate driving member being moved axially.

25. An engine starter including a longitudinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; an intermediate driving member having a slid able driving connection with the first named member; a clutch between the pinion and in termediate driving` member; and a device having a slidable connection with the intermediate driving member, one of the said slidable connections including a curved spline, the device being operable by the pinion for etfecting a relative rotary movement on the curved spline to move the intermediate driving` member axially and establish a driving engagement of the clutch when the rotary speed of the intermediate driving member exceeds that ot' the pinion.

26. An engine starter including a rotatable member; a pinion for meshing with a gear of an engine to be started; a clutch member adapted to torni a drive connection between the pinion and the rotatable member and having a slidable connection with the latter; and a de rice having a drive connection with the pinion adapted to permit slippage between the device and pinion, the device having a slidable connection with the clutch member, one of the said slidable connections including a curved spline whereby relative rotary movement thereon will result in the clutch member being moved axially away from the pinion while the latter is overrunning the rotatable member.

27. An engine starter including a rotatable member; a pinion for meshing with a gear of an engine to be started; an intermediate driving member havingl a sliding' driving connection with the rotatable member; a one-way clutch for forming a drive connection between the intermediate drivingl member and the pinion; and a device having' a drive connection with the pinion adapted to permit slippage between the device and pinion, the device having a slidable driving connection with the clutch, one of the said slidable driving connections including a curved spline whereby rotary movement thereon will result in an axial movement of the intermediate driving member to separate the clutch while the pinion is overrunning the rotatable member.

28. An engine starter tndinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to mesh with a gear of an engine; an intermediate driving member having a slidable driving connection with t-he first named aember; a clutch between the pinion and intermediate driving member; a. device having a klidable connection with the intermediate driving member; one of the said slidable connections including a curved including a longispline, the device being operable by the pinion for moving member away from the pinion to maintain a separation of the clutch during such times as the pinion overruns the intermediate driving member; and means for preventing more than a predetermined axial movement of the intermediate driving member when it is moved to disengage the clutch.

E29. A starter comprising a pinion to be moved into and out ot engagement with a gear of an engine to be started; a. rotatable starter member axially movable and adapted to impart axial movement to the pinion to withdraw it from mesh; a sleeve threaded on the rotatable member having a disengageable driving connection with the pinion; a member having a :triotional driving connection with one of the said sleeve and pinion parts and a driving connection with the other of said parts whereby the member, when the pinion overruns the sleeve, will cause the sleeve to move along its thread to disengage the driving connection; and means for limiting the said axial movement of the sleeve and for relieving the frictional engagement of the last mentioned member.

30. A starter comprising a pinion adapted to be moved into and out of mesh with a gear ot an engine to be started; a flange carried by the pinion and provided with ratchet teeth; a rotatable starter memberl axially movable, one of the said flange and member parts being provided with a part adapted to limit the axial movement of the pinion relative to the member; and asleeve threaded on the rotatable member and provided with ratchet teeth adapted to co-operate with the ratchet teeth on the flange to form a drive connection between the sleeve and pinion.

8l. An engine starter including alongitndinally movable rotatable member; a pinion adapted to be moved endwise to mesh 7ith a gear ot an engine; a main clutch for forming a driving connection between the said member and pinion, the said clutch inn cluding a part threaded on the member for turning the pinion to clear its teeth in case they collide with the teeth of the gear; and an auxiliary clutch between the pinion and the said part for effecting and maintaining the setting of the main clutch until such time as the pinion overruns the rotatable member.

Signed at Toronto, Canada, this 18th day of May, 1928.

MAUNSELL B. JACKSON. KENNETH M. CLIPSHAM.

the intermediate driving lOO 

